China was urged by pro-democracy activists yesterday to stop suppressing grassroots activities, in the wake of its warning to activist Tong Zeng .
The Chinese authorities had told Diaoyu Islands campaign leader Mr Tong to halt his protests.
Democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan led 10 protesters to the Xinhua (the New China News Agency) office and called on China to give its full backing to the patriotic movement.
'So far, the activities have all been conducted in a peaceful and rational manner, they certainly will not affect the stability of the society,' Mr Ho said.
Unlike the Democrats' last protest about the disputed islands, when the leaders were invited into the building to hand over their petition, Xinhua's door remained firmly closed yesterday to Mr Ho and his group.
'Unfortunately, Xinhua feels this action is not to defend the Diaoyu Islands. They are not taking the letter. We regret that decision,' Mr Ho said.
In a telegram to Chinese President Jiang Zemin , a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference standing committee member, Xu Simin , warned that the suppression of grassroots activities would upset people's support of the Government.
